Funding
Research and Connection Cluster Funding
FREE Center Research and Connection Clusters bring together scholars across campus around shared areas of interest related to feminist research, education, and engagement, broadly defined.
Clusters receive up to $500 for use during the academic year. Funds can be used for securing meeting space and refreshments; purchasing books or other supplies; workshop costs; consulting; hosting community partners; tickets to arts and/or community events; hosting works-in-progress discussions; or other expenses as needed.
Timeline:
Applications due - October 23rd, 2026
Awards Announced - early December 2026
Project completion date - December 31st, 2027
Clusters who seek to establish and/or deepen collaborations with community partners are highly encouraged to apply.
To learn more about the FREE Center's current and past funded clusters, visit the FREE Center Research page.
Please send any questions to free@osu.edu
Graduate Small Grants for Feminist Scholarship
Graduate Small Grants for Feminist Scholarship is a funding opportunity for Ohio State graduate students engaged in feminist research and/or creative practice. The FREE Center program awards grants of up to $500 to currently enrolled master’s and doctoral students. Students from all departments across campus are welcome to apply.
There are 2 types of funding available for the 2026-27 academic year:
Conference Travel: these funds are designed to be used for students who have had a paper accepted to an upcoming conference and are securing their travel arrangements in order to present.
Research Funds: these funds may be used to conduct research or develop projects; provide payment to human subjects; and/or purchase research/creative practice-related materials and supplies.
Proposals should demonstrate a substantial connection to the purpose and mission of the FREE Center, with preference given to those who contribute consistently to the life of the Center via event attendance and participation and/or to students working directly with our faculty affiliates.
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Application Deadlines:
Conference Travel application - October 23rd, 2026
Apply Here
Research Funds application - January 28th, 2027
Apply Here
Award Announcements:
Conference Travel application - early December 2026
Research Funds application - mid-February 2027
***All awards must be used by December 31, 2027
Additional Information:
- Applicants may only apply ONCE per academic year.
- Grant recipients will be required to submit receipts, proof of conference acceptance, and/or a written summary detailing how the funds were used.
Please send any questions to free@osu.edu
FREE Center Co-Sponsorships and Collaborations
The FREE Center welcomes opportunities for collaboration and partnerships. If you are an OSU-affiliated department or individual who is planning an event (e.g., seminar, speaker, workshop, retreat, creative event, community engagement project) rooted in feminist approaches or perspectives, we encourage you to complete the application below.
Note that our co-sponsorship funding commitments typically range from $250-500.
FREE Co-Sponsorship Application. Please allow a three week lead time for all requests.